There is nothing like a nice warm shower to let go of any stress and rejuvenate yourself and your spirits if you are having a shocker of a day. There is something about letting the water run all over you that helps to alleviate any stress you may be feeling, not to mention warming you from the inside out.

Enhance Your Mood with Essential Essence

And if you really want to boost your mood, sprinkle a few drops of your favourite essence in the shower (whichever mood you want to create).

Lavender, for example is great at the end of the day to relax, unwind and let go of the mind chatter, and get you ready for a restful night's sleep. In the morning if you want to feel energized or if you are going out for the night and want to boost your energy levels, choose an essence with zest. Lime or Lemongrass should do the trick. Essential essence like Eucalyptus is wonderful when you are trying to literally let go of any congestion you may be experiencing during cold and flu season.

So remember, sometimes when life or the moments in your day get all too stressful, take a break and give yourself a nice refreshing and invigorating shower! Works a treat for kids too!

Alison Nancye :)

My dad called me today to ask how my trip to New York went. Of course I replied... SENSATIONAL!!! It was the trip of a lifetime times 10 I say, UNBELIEVABLE, can't wait to go back... Now let's take this back a step. This is the dad I have only known for a whole seven years and I'm 40 today.. you do the math! (For those of you who don't know 'my story', have a squiz through some of my other blogs to find out more.

Anyway... it was a poignant moment for me. My dad rings me to find out about my recent travels and to tell me that I have inspired him to travel now too. Through me sharing my excitement and journey to have my recent New York adventure, I planted a seed of travel adventure with my dad. He's always wanted to travel to UK apparently, even Scotland and Ireland and Wales he'd love to see too. Oh yeah and to go to Paris for a few days, that would be the trip of a lifetime he tells me. My dad has never owned a passport. If I'm 40 and he's my dad, you do the math... that's a long time, a lifetime infact to never travel outside your own country. He's excited to say the least.

He told me. 'Alison you inspired me. You inspired me to take action on my dreams. I've always dreamed of traveling to UK just never got there. But I went out and bought a whole lot of maps, huge maps to cover the entire loungeroom floor and I just spent the weekend pouring over them'. It doesn't sound like much he tells me, but I got excited just dreaming of all the places I could visit and the things I'd like to do over there. 'When do you think you'd like to go', I ask him? 'This time next year, he says, I've always dreamed of going to Wimbledon and that's the goal I'm aiming for'. He tells me it's really nice to have goals, dreams of things you can plan and look forward to. I can hear the BIG smile in his voice.

My dad gave me such joy to hear the excited little boy voice inside him sharing his travel dreams. And he tells me I inspired him to do it. Him sharing his dreams with me and knowing I made a difference to his day, his life, has certainly made my day today and a whole lot more to follow.

So many of us go through life with unfinished dreams and a longing to do things we've always dreamed of perhaps even since childhood. It's never too late, to engage the inner child and follow your dreams. And remember, when you do, share them with others and create the space for others to share their dreams too.

Alison Nancye :)

I was inspired to create a new 'life-recipe' titled Bucket List as a result of my recent trip to New York. I was talking to a couple who have just found out the husband's work is going to relocate them to London. In a few months they will be packing up their New York things and heading to a brand new life in UK. This move comes as a bitter sweet one for them.

Through further chatting, my friends revealed the things they are going to miss out on as a result of their new move. I realised while talking with them that a lot of us look at life that way. Focussed on what we don't have as apposed to what we can have. We somehow stop our plans and stifle ourselves about what we'd love to do right here right now because we think it's too late.

So I suggested my friends create a 'Bucket List' of all the things they'd love to do in New York before their move to London later in the year. They replied 'what's that?'. I told them to literally list EVERYTHING they would love to do, cheesy tourist stuff and all (even though they are living and working as locals). Their eyes started to flicker with excitement as they said, 'well there is that such and such museum that we keep saying we want to go to but never do get there and there is ...', and so the list goes on.

I think that is the theme for so many of us. We stop our dreams or everyday things we'd love to experience because life gets in the way or we forget how important it is, right here right now, to do what we truly love.

So in the theme of the film 'The Bucket List' staring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, here's some simple steps to get started on your own bucket list while you are alive and kicking.

Ingredients

* Paper & Pen

Cooking Time

10 minutes should do it but feel free to let it simmer a while

Preparation

1. Decide whether this is a list for you to do on your own or with a partner, friend or family member/s.

Instructions

1. On a blank piece of paper, write the date.
2. Choose a period of time for your bucket list to have everything ticked off the list (eg this month, season, year, lifetime, etc.
3. Get dreaming and write anything and everything you would love to do, experience and enjoy during the period of time you have set for yourself. Keep writing and remember no idea is a silly one, just use your heart and instincts to help you decide.
4. Place the list in a prominent position where you can see it and feel inspired by it (my fridge loves these notes :)
5. It's now time to get started on that list and jump in to action and have a ball doing it.
6. Tick off each item on the list when you do it AND celebrate during or after you have completed it.

Variation to this life-recipe:

You can also apply the 'Bucklet List' to 'My Career Bucket List', 'My Relationship Bucket List', 'My Holiday Bucket List' etc... you get the idea :)

Remember this is your one life, right here right now... do everything you would love to taste, savour and devour.

Alison Nancye :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2010

It's been a while since I sent out a newsletter. I took a six month sabbatical to really enjoy the bliss of motherhood fulltime with my gorgeous children before they started school. More recently I have been focussing on promoting my Recipes for Everyday Life book in US and the wider market. It's been a really wonderful ride to find the balance between doing what I love at home as a mum, wife and friend and also and out in the world as a writer.

I really think it takes time once you start on your blissful life path to come into a comfortable groove where you can happily balance family and life's purpose as well as have balance within.

So with that in mind and the kids now in school (daughter in 'big' school and son in pre-school), I finally feel ready to spread my wings and travel and promote my book in the BIG way I have also dreamed it should be shared with the world.

I have had a dream to be on Oprah for the past seven years and I am on a mission to be sitting on that couch with her this year, chewing the fat and sharing my Recipes for Everyday Life book and Food for Thought ideas on how to 'live your best life' as Oprah says. And of course sharing with the Oprah audience, the incredible story of fulfilling my lifelong dream of finding my dad at the age of 33 after a lifetime of never having met or known him. And then there is the incredible continuum to that story that when we create our dreams, a positive ripple effect takes place and it encourages everyone around us to go for their dreams too. I know I most certainly did that for my parents. A year after I found my dad I reconnected my parents at my wedding. It was at my wedding that my parents started on their own quest to create their dream life. They began dating each other, a year later they got engaged and a year later they got married. Finding my dad showed me that we can have incredible dreams fulfilled. It gave me the courage to go for all of my dreams now matter how big or small and encourage everyone around me to go for their dreams too. Finding my dad inspired me to start my life mentoring work and to create my recipe-style life-mentoring book.

I'm 40 this year and I really believe 40 is a great time to ask yourself 'who do I want to be and how do I really want to be spending the next 40 years of my life?' Or at the very least, how do I want to be spending the next 10 years. So with my past 40 years having shaped me for good and for good learning development, I am excited about what lies ahead for this year and all the years that follow.

My husband asked me recently how I would like to celebrate my 40th and I replied, a ticket to New York. Just me doing my thing and promoting my book in US and finally fulfilling that dream of going to New York as a writer. So the ticket is all booked and I head over there in May leaving the kids at home with the hubby. I'm seriously excited about treading the boards of New York and waking up to a city that doesn't sleep instead of being woken up by my very noisy and extremely energetic and enthusiastic children every morning.

I've made the theme of this month's newsletter 'Share Your Dreams' and that's why I'm sharing mine with you. The fulfilled dream of finding my dad and my future dreams to write, work and travel to New York and US regularly, to share a spot with Oprah on her couch, and to genuinely make a positive difference to millions of people all around through my Recipes for Everyday Life book and the other books and work I have in development.

I think so many of us have dreams that we hold on to and refrain from shouting out to the world for a variety of fears and anxieties of what may happen to us and our dreams if we put them out there to the masses. But I believe otherwise, the exact opposite infact. I believe we should shout out to the world with all our heart and and in all our glory what we would most love in our life. But if you do feel a little too nervous at first, start small, start with only encouraging people, tell me if you'd like, simply choose people that genuinely want to see you have your dreams come true. It's really important to share your dreams because that is part of the action process to help make them a reality.

Whatever dreams you would love today, this week, this month, this year, this decade, this lifetime, take the time to dream on them. Use my 3 Dream Life Ingredients to help you cook up the life your dreams. 1) Imagination, 2) Heart, 3) Will. 1) Let your imagination run wild and free and see where it takes you to create a list of dreams you would genuinely love to have in your life. 2) Feel in your heart of heart's what life would be like living the reality of your dreams, 3) Take action on your dreams, and really choose for your dreams to come in to fruition and become an everyday reality.

I wish you all the best creating your dreams this month and year. Remember this is your one life right here right now, whatever you would most love, give your dreams and you a chance of having them come true. And remember to celebrate them when you do!

Alison Nancye :)

Find that place you love to go... and go there often!

It was almost 20 years ago when I stumbled across the gorgeous Byron Bay. I travelled there with girlfriends, single, on a road trip, ready to party, holiday, hang and meet boys. We got all of the above! What we didn't account for was that elusive Byron Bay vibe. That healing ‘thing’ that is Byron. That 'thing' that draws so many of us in, puts a smile on our face, peace in our heart and helps us chill out about life and the big AND small things in between.

Feel Good Holiday Destination

Over the years that passed, I have continued to be drawn to Byron Bay. Every single time I visit, that same old Byron vibe sweeps over me, no matter what my agenda at the outset. I just feel SO good when I'm there and when I get home.

It had been a few years between visits but after having children, it was as if Byron was calling me. Reminding me I hadn't been there in a while. That I needed to rejuvenate there as much as my family did. I had forgotten how great that place made me feel.

It was the year my daughter turned one and I gave birth to my son that I felt this overwhelming urge to spend the summer there, and we did. That same old Byron vibe was upon me. The whole family felt it.

Healing Holiday

Yet even though I know it’s there, I often forget how great Byron Bay will make me feel. So after a ridiculously stressful December 2009, I was drawn yet again, reminded to visit Byron Bay.

My beautiful family has just spent yet another gorgeous summer holiday in Byron healing, cleansing, regrouping and letting go of the past year’s stress ready and refreshed for the year ahead.

Take A Holiday Break

In short, if you're stressed... take a break. Better still, take a holiday. Find a place that is your Holiday Haven. Whether it is the same destination each year or a new spot that gives you that feel good oozy feeling each time.

Alison Nancye :)

My husband heard on the radio today that top German magazine Brigitte had decided enough was enough. They are going to start using real people in their magazine rather than photoshoping stick thin models to look as if they have more weight (or any weight for that matter). Bravo!

But it did get me thinking, these models are breathing but are they really living!

How often do you find yourself breathing yet not really living? By breathing I mean, clocking in, clocking out, going through the motions, putting things off that you'd really love to be doing. And by living, I mean, living your dream life NOW! Sure, some of the bigger dreams might need working towards but there really is a way to live your dream life now and not just breath or exist through life.

It's simple food for thought - make sure you live your life just as you'd love today and every day that follows, because we really never do know when that final breath will be!

Alison Nancye :)

Being present is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and everyone around you.

So what does it actually mean to be present? Well the best example I can give is when you read a book. You know when you are totally engrossed in the book - you are present - present to the words, present to the page, present to the story. Being totally and utterly at one with your book.

But if you find that when you get to the end of the page or flick over and think to yourself, what did I just read? ... that is most definitely NOT being present. Or perhaps when you speed read or skim the text - in a hurry to get to the end so you can move on to your next task at hand - no that is NOT being present either.

Do you sometimes live your life like that? In speed read mode or perhaps getting to the end of your page, your day, your week and wondering - what did I actually do, say or FEEL this week?

Look don't give yourself a hard time - we all do it, I'm more interested in how I can be more present and enjoy more of my life than dwelling on the fact that there are times when I'm not present.

Clean House Clean Mind

For me to be present, what is really helpful is a CLEAN HOUSE = a CLEAN MIND.

Honestly when the house is tidy and organised I just feel so much better and am a lot more present and clear with myself, my kids, husband and guests.

If I don't have time to do it all (sometimes the case with a 3 & 4 year old in tow), I choose an area that's 'my space' - it's you guessed it - my kitchen! We have this high bench cafe style white dining table and chairs with clean lines that looks out to trees and the ocean. If that table (and everything underneath it) is clean and my kitchen is clean I FEEEEEEL sooooooooo good and present and able to be with anyone that walks in to my life. It's interesting too, when this space is clean, my guests feel it when they walk down the hallway to the 'my space' area.

Find 'Your Way' To Be Present

How could you be more present to enjoy more of your life?

Is it turning your email or mobile off at designated times of the day, taking a shower at the end of your day before dinner with the family to let go of your day and arrive at home and in a new space?

Find 'your space' or 'your way' to be MORE PRESENT and honestly, you really will enjoy your life a whole lot more and so will those around you.

Alison Nancye :)

It's a well known saying but how often do you use it to guide you in the choices you make about your food and lifestyle diet?

Do you know that everything you digest mentally, physically and emotionally, creates who you are, how you behave and the way you live your life every day?

Toxic Thoughts

Every single negative word you take on board from others and you project out there to the world is toxic. It makes you feel bad and when we feel bad, things tend to not go as well as we'd like.

You can change these toxic thoughts any time, any how. For example, next time someone says something that hurts your feelings or makes you feel bad, just imagine the words are passing through you, going in and then going straight back out to the ether. Just let the words leave your body as if they are flowing out no sooner than they flowed in. Imagine a clear flow of energy that then follows these words. Give the energy some colour filled light if this helps. Try it, it's a simple yet powerful exercise.

And next time you think bad thoughts towards others or want to say something negative to someone (or yourself) STOP!. Take a moment to BREATH,  REGROUP and REPHRASE. Take a few moments to rethink of how you can still express yourself to that person but from your heart. It's hard to be toxic to someone else (or yourself for that matter) when you are in your heart. Your message will still be heard, infact probably more so.

Healthy Habits

The last couple of months of the year are the perfect time to think about how you want the rest of your year to be.

What positive changes can you make right now that will greatly benefit you until the end of the year and also the year ahead?

Don't wait for New Year's Resolutions to create new healthy food and lifestyle choices, start NOW.

Then when it comes to your Christmas holiday break, you will be so healthy and hearty, that you will be totally present to digest all that life has to offer, rather than spending your holidays trying to recharge the batteries, only to hit the ground running again next year.

Remember readers, you ARE what you eat, food and all!

Alison Nancye :)

Over the past month, I have witnessed a lot of tension in my community. Lots of misunderstandings, miscommunication and people breaking down and crying uncontrollably and shouting it out loud matches. And if that's what you want so be it, but somehow I think at the core of it all, if we chose to speak up more, we would shout out a lot less.

Don't Bottle Up Your Emotions

When you bottle up your thoughts and feelings, it gets to you after a while. This can turn up later in health issues, poor sleep, poor performance, arguments, tension and conflict with people and in life where you don't want it.

I have been a big offender of not speaking up throughout my life (I'm getting better though). So often, I have been afraid to speak up when I really wanted to and left it all a bit too late. When I finally did speak up, it usually came out shouting or pouting or not very elegantly or coherently. Just a whole lot of BLA and RA.

People have misunderstandings with themselves and others all the time, and I think one of the main reasons for this is because we fail to speak up and say what we truly want to say.

3 Tips To Getting Your Message Across

My writing mentor Jan Cornall said the Buddhist have three criteria when it comes to speaking up. They ask is it 1) Kind, 2) Useful and 3) True? And now I use that as my criteria when I know I want to speak up but my old fears from the past prevent me from naturally and eloquently letting the words flow out.

So I ask myself those three questions and also put me own spin on it. I use it as a criteria for the 'way' I want to speak up - I try to be more kind in the way I speak up, I speak my truth - share from my heart and be authentic, and I also speak up in a way that's useful for both me and the the listener in mind. And in practising this (still learning and growing all the time), I seem to have a lot less arguments and misunderstandings as a result.

When you practise speaking up more and sharing your thoughts and feelings with others in those moments when you have them, you will have less tension and arguments, less conflict and less miscommunication.

So try those three tips next time you have something to say.

Alison Nancye :)

I've just spent two weeks in gorgeous Byron Bay with my family and I had such a wonderful time. Apart from the fact that Byron Bay is truly one of the most gorgeous places in the world to visit, I believe that holidays help us put life in to perspective.

I always find whenever we come back from a holiday, my hubby and I are more more chilled, my family is a much tighter unit, and my young children have taken another big step in their development and learning. So why is this?

Enjoy The Simple Pleasures Of Life

Apart from the obvious... less phone calls, less computer time, less schedules, less commitments, etc; on holidays we seem to give ourselves more time to eat, sleep, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. And whilst we think we don't have the time to sleep more, eat well and enjoy more of the simple pleasures of life when we are back in the ever demanding world of our everyday lives, we actually do. Everything is about choice. You create your schedule, whether you are living your everyday life or on holiday from your everyday life. You have control over your time, your energy, your health, and wellbeing.

Holidays are genuinely able to offer us so many new ways to live a simpler, happier, healthier and more rewarding life. It would be so wonderful to say you can 'holiday' every day as well as only sometimes throughout the year.

What Gift Will You Take Away From Your Holiday?

Of course we all have different commitments but if you could say you were going to take one thing away from your holiday and bring it back with you (as a gift if you like) to use and share with yourself in your everyday life, what would it be? What is one positive thing you could apply to your life after having a holiday?

For me, as a result of this holiday and the journey leading up to it, the one present I have brought back for me and my family is 'more free time'. We are now enjoying less commitments, less scheduled activities and more time to eat, sleep, play and hang out, and we are all the better for it.

Alison Nancye :)